Texas Open-Carry Bill Filed

Two Texas Representatives are trying to pass a bill that would allow state residents to openly carry a handgun.

House Bill 700 was filed Thursday by George Lavender (R-Texarkana) and Chris Paddie (R-Marshall).

"I've got guns than you see on this wall right here, I'm not afraid to say that," said Texarkana Resident Josh Honeycutt. "I think everyone should have the right to defend themself."

And while he's all for House Bill 700, he's concerned about safety.

"Just because they're open-carry, doesn't mean you have to have your gun on your hip. You still need a concealed handgun license."

And says a person carrying a handgun openly, could be a walking target.

"If there's some people looking to do you hard, you don't want them to know immediately that you've got a way of defending yourself."

Another resident, Sky Crane, also grew up around firearms.

"I can't say what's right or wrong because my opinion is you should be able to carry a gun."

But he questions the positive effects the bill would have in the Texarkana community.

"If I saw somebody, whether it's a fellow employee, friends or anybody, I'd have to question them about what's going on. It doesn't matter what they say. You never know what could happen when they pull the gun out of their pocket."

But no matter how a person stands, both say, it's the right of the individual to decide what's best for them.

Texas is one of six states that doesn't have an open-carry law. If House Bill 700 is passed, it would not change the licensing or background check requirements for getting a firearm.